All of THIS . . .. This type of stuff is why our 'fans' seem so sh~tty I mean to pick on HARDEN of all people after last nite is crazy Rocket River
The Warriors were more effective in attacking our "defensive liability" (Harden) then we were at attacking their's (Curry). A lot of our defensive breakdowns started with Harden being unable to contain the dribble on the perimeter, but I'm not sure there's much we can do about that. We're not going to beat them unless other players are better.
i feel like Harden gives up way too easily on the perimeter sometimes, if you don't contain the drive, we will give up open layups and 3's. Also their switching on defense is killing our offense more than our switch is killing theirs lol Warriors are doing the exact same thing as us just better.
Eh. The gameplan was an overbearing one to get him as many possessions as possible. I honestly didn't like it. D'Antoni has the creativity of a goldfish. The guy's offensive strategy is basically Harden spam ISO's against Curry. Putting himself in the position for the third straight series, of having to counter strategies after losses.
James Harden's defense was fine last night. The Rockets issue was stopping Kevin Durant defensively. A lot of the issues limiting Durant (no one is stopping him) is foul trouble with Ariza. The Warriors plan was very simple, get the Rockets in foul trouble and avoid sending the Rockets to the free throw line. Sending the Rockets to the line allows the Rockets to get set on defense and a brief rest as well. The Rockets lost because they turned the ball over too much and they didn't hit their free throws. We also are going to have to see the Rockets show that they can make stops. Game 2 could be more of the same, or the complete opposite. This series isn't over, and a single game isn't going to foretell the rest of the series. Also, the Rockets and Harden need to keep isolating Curry and get him in foul trouble.... it worked on that point.... had Ariza not gotten into early foul trouble, this game could have gone very different.
Harden's defense was very bad last night, but he was the only player to show up offensively. That's what he's on the team for. The others did not fulfill their role, and that was clearly the bigger issue.
Totally agree about the Ariza foul trouble. He had 5 fouls in 13 minutes which is completely ridiculous, thanks to the terrible officiating. I remember looking at the box score after he sat for his 5th foul and he was +4, so we were winning with him on the court up to that point. Then he had to play bullshit passive defense to avoid getting tossed for the rest of the game, which was really frustrating. Thing will hopefully look a lot different if Ariza isn't in foul trouble.
THIS. I don't car er that he is limited on D. He just gives up completely too many times. Especially off turnovers and dribble penetration.
Yup, Ariza getting in foul trouble SUPER EARLY was really the start of the end for us. Thats when KD went on a tear. I'm disappointed with Ariza BECAUSE HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. He's the only one who can decently guard KD and he got too aggressive early. I'm not even expecting him to hit his shot i just want him to atleast make KD work on offense. But how can he do that if he's walking on the court with five fouls.
Role players not scoring is an issue, but had the Rockets hit their free throws and not turned the ball over, the Rockets likely win last night. My point is that the whole series was not determined last night. If the Rockets win the turnover battle and the free throw battle, we win the majority of games. My expectation was a 2-2 series going into game 5. It is very hard to hold serve in games 1-4 because of momentum. The real key to this series may be game 5..... Also Harden had an exceptional game last night. If anything he should have shot even more. He didn't wilt under the pressure and he didn't give up. Some of the jitters for players like CP3 and Tucker and Capela should be gone for game 2. That is a game the Rockets really need to take serious and win. Then they only need to win 1 on the road against the Warriors in games 3-4.......... also don't forget adjustments that will be made. Ultimately we are a star short against the Warriors, but we knew that would be the case. It makes it very hard to win a series, but not impossible. I think the Rockets still have a 33% chance of winning this series.
Seems if you do hamper KD too much . . .they call fouls Tucker got a clean rip and 5 seconds later they called the foul IT is those kinds of things that bug the sh*t out of me I hate that the so called 'BEST' get so much slack and help that they move from hard to guard to IMPOSSIBLE TO GUARD Rocket River
ArAriza foul trouble made worse by Luc being injured and ineffective. Healthy Luc would have helped a lot
Well i doubt the blows to the chest were really going to help with his stamina and energy to go both ends of the court. Golden states plan. Make harden outscore the entire golden state team which is not going to happen.
